Salvation is only in Christ, by Jesse Sewell (Part 1)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). The word “if” always introduces a conditional sentence and always implies a condition or contingency in which one thing is made to depend on another. In the above verse, being a new creature is made to depend on being in Christ, showing that no one out of Christ is a new creature, that old things do not pass away, and that all things do not become new until one is in Christ. “But,” it will be asked, “is being in Christ necessary to salvation?” Let us see. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1). This verse shows that in order to be free from condemnation, one must be in Christ. Again, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph. 1:7). And again, “Giving thanks to the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:12-14). From these passages we learn that remission of sins is found in Christ, and that therefore no remission is found out of Christ. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3). From this we learn that all spiritual blessings are enjoyed only in Christ and that none of them can be enjoyed out of Christ. “Ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7). In order that prayer be heard and answered, one must enter into Christ and abide there. Therefore, the prayers of those who remain out of Christ will not be heard and answered. Furthermore, in order to be prepared for death, one must be in Christ, and live there. “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” (Rev. 14:13). Still further, in order to have a happy resurrection, one must be of the dead that are in Christ. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” (1 Thess. 4:16). From what has been presented, we learn the following:

In order to be a new creature, one must be in Christ.

To be free condemnation, one must be in Christ.

To have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, one must be in Christ.

In order to enjoy all spiritual blessings, one must be in Christ.

In order that prayer be heard and answered, one must be in Christ. Thus, we see clearly that there is no salvation out of Christ.